Above the Big Sky UM Takes Flight as Montana’s Drone Hub

From reimagining disaster monitoring to reshaping agriculture, drone technology is improving the safety and efficiency of industries across Big Sky Country – and the University of Montana is the state’s command center for training the experts who will pilot them.

As UM’s Autonomous Aerial Systems Office has grown, so too has its capacity to guide and support students, faculty and the public in navigating complex and often-changing regulations. AASO also drives drone-related innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development across Montana.

“The University of Montana is primarily the main hub for all drones throughout the state,” said Bart Bauer, associate director of UM’s Autonomous Aerial Systems Office.

This summer, AASO accepted its largest class of interns in the history of the program. The office usually accepts about three students and turns some away. This year it took nearly 10. The majority were Grizzlies, but some journeyed from Montana State University and other regions like Alaska to benefit from UM’s expertise.